So I got myself a new fish and it arrived today.
I saw some people at the local surf their fish without any deck pads, just wax on it. Was wondering if I need to bother putting deck pads on the board or just use a good amount wax?
Surely wax provides enough grip to edge the board against the kite?
Wax does grip enoughbut with constant pressure ( as your feet are always on the board... As opposed to surfing) I find the wax tends to smooth out or bunch up out from under your feet.
For surfing I prefer wax only
Kiting full pads
Ok thanks for that. I was actually planning to use the fish for pure surfing as well every now and then.
Is that weird to do with full deck pads? If so, perhaps putting on just one deck pad at the back and wax at the front the way it's traditionally done on surfboards may be an option?
Full deck pad is bad for regular surfing. Just put a rear pad on and wax her up, will be fine for both then.
I think I'll start with pure wax as some people say a deck pad doesn't make much sense on a fish for surfing anyway.
Happy to wax the board regularly to avoid the wax bunching up.
Thanks for the thoughts guys.
For kiting I def prefer a deck pad because as stated the wax doesn't last long when you are standing the whole time.
However I prefer a shorter board for kiting than surfing so I have dedicated kite and surf boards.
If you are using wax, apply a good base coat of I nice hard, warm weather (tropical) wax then use a softer stickier wax on top of that.
Beware the full deck pad for surfing unless you have skin like a rhino!
The resultant stomach, knee and nipple rash is a fate far worse than the wax ball chest hair removal method!
Although i am hazarding a guess by your profile pic that chest hair isn't an issue for you !(yet)
If you are going to use it for both surfing and kiting a back foot pad helps to protect the board where the major force is applied
and most come with a tail block which allows you to feel whether your back foot is in the "sweet spot " on the board instantly!
Just wax requires you to wax up after almost every kite session as you smooth it out/off when moving your feet around tacking upwind etc
and simply by the amount of time you spend standing on it!
^^^+1 what prawn said
I use wax for strapless kiting, deck grip is expensive and looks ugly imo and can often start peeling off. Most surfboards these days already have a tail grip which comes in handy to know your back foot is in the right spot.
True that cause your feet are on the board the wax tends to melt quicker so get warm water wax. A little fresh wax or comb it before you go out helps, but I don't even bother unless the wax melted off in the car. \
Booties give excellent grip on wax and thus I am having trouble weaning myself off them in warmer weather even if they are full of holes and fill with water :P
I used to think having a pad up front was the go.....several repairs later & its a royal pain in the arse, stick with wax
Awesome guys, I'll just get warm water wax and applied it liberally and reapply every now and then. Cheaper option than deck pads and I can surf my fish that way too (don't need to put weight all the way at the back of the fish anyway - so should be fine without rear pad).
Try using the Coldest wax you can find IMO.
A base coat and then cold water wax, will be far more sticky and keep you stuck to the board 
Right so is it warm or cold water wax that I'm applying? On all my regular surf boards I have used cold water wax (I live in Syd).
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..
Those adhesive sheets I use beat wax and pads...
I don't think anyone here wants to know what you do in your private time
Select to expand quoteKajo said..
Right so is it warm or cold water wax that I'm applying? On all my regular surf boards I have used cold water wax (I live in Syd).
Its personal preference. I use cold water wax as its stickier and just deal with it occasionally melting off but NSW water is 6-8 degrees warmer than here. Melted wax that re-hardens is never as sticky.
Found the best balance rear deck pad on back...A 4-5cm wide vertical strip of deck grip under where the arch of your foot goes and wax the rest. I am only having to re apply wax every 3-4 sessions...The deck grip keeps the front foot from greasing the wax off and helps locate your foot without looking down.
Select to expand quoteAndreC said..
Found the best balance rear deck pad on back...A 4-5cm wide vertical strip of deck grip under where the arch of your foot goes and wax the rest. I am only having to re apply wax every 3-4 sessions...The deck grip keeps the front foot from greasing the wax off and helps locate your foot without looking down.
Yes, good option. Astro grip Skimboard pads work well.
